Venues: Walden, Garfield Park Conservatory
Photographer: Ashlyn Henry Photography

A Summery Italian Capri Vibe in the Heart of Chicago

Melanie and Ben’s August wedding at Walden transformed the industrial Chicago venue into a bright, airy celebration reminiscent of Italy’s stunning Capri coast. With a color palette of navy, light blue, buttery yellow, and crisp white, their florals created a lively, summery party feel while playful Italian touches like fresh rosemary garlands, sliced lemons, and hanging lanterns elevated the design with thoughtful, sun-soaked detail.

From the ceremony to the reception, the day was full of joy, laughter, and exquisite floral design that brought warmth, color, and personality to Walden’s blank canvas.

A Lush, Layered Bridal Bouquet

Melanie carried a delicate hand-tied bouquet featuring ranunculus, poppies, scabiosa, astilbe, and roses in soft whites, buttery yellows, and champagne tones. Light blue delphinium, tweedia, and whimsical whildflowers added movement and bounce, while her fun blue-and-white shoes and blue-tipped nails echoed the bouquet’s playful pops of color—a charming detail that tied her look together beautifully.

Monobotanical Bridesmaids Bouquets Featuring One Type of Flower from the Bride’s Bouquet

Bridesmaids carried deconstructed bouquets—each featuring a single floral variety from Melanie’s bouquet in shades of blue, white, and buttery yellow—allowing each bridesmaid a personalized look and providing versatile pieces to repurpose on the head table at the reception. They looked gorgeous among the lush green foliage of Garfield Park Conservatory, where the couple had their first look and the wedding party took their first photos of the day.

A Whimsical Floral Dog Collar

One of the most delightful details of the day was Melanie and Ben’s beloved dog, Luna, who wore a fluffy floral collar made entirely of delicate baby’s breath. This sweet botanical accessory perfectly captured the playful, lighthearted energy of the couple’s celebration and made for an adorable, memorable wedding moment.

Bold, Italian-Inspired Ceremony Design

For the ceremony, six statement arrangements in shades of white, blue, and buttery yellow were paired with asymmetrical white pillars, creating a sculptural, editorial feel. Eclectic budvases scattered throughout the ceremony space added bursts of color, wildflowers, and texture, complementing the airy, summery vibe of the day.

After the ceremony, these arrangements were thoughtfully repurposed at the sweetheart table and around the reception, ensuring continuity of the floral story throughout the space.

Three Distinct Reception Centerpiece Looks

The reception featured a dynamic mix of centerpiece styles that brought life, color, and interest to Walden’s industrial backdrop:

Elegant footed urns: Filled with hydrangea, garden roses, trailing greenery, and “dancing” wildflowers, these urns brought a European, contemporary romantic feel to select guest tables.
Layered luxe tablescapes: Longer rectangular tables showcased three ikebana-inspired flower frog centerpieces with airy, playful florals, two additional budvases with signature statement blooms, and scattered blue taper candles and lemons for a fresh, garden-party vibe.
Eclectic Budvase Arrangements: Highboys, lounge tables, and bar areas featured a mix of smaller budvases with singular statement blooms, tying in the Italian-inspired palette and adding pops of whimsy throughout the space.

Sprinkled candles, fresh rosemary garlands, and real sliced lemons anchored the tablescapes, infusing the room with a vibrant, festive Capri feel.

Bringing Walden to Life with Color and Italian Flair

From playful blue-and-white accents to buttery florals and bright lemons, Melanie and Ben’s wedding transformed Walden into a vibrant, Italian-inspired oasis. Each floral choice, candle, and greenery detail contributed to a bright, summery celebration full of personality, joy, and charm.

The Saville Flowers team was honored to craft a cohesive botanical story, marrying whimsical summer florals with elegant Italian touches for a day that was as colorful and lively as the couple themselves.